Following are selected posts to the Holisticat (TM) Mailing List on the subject of nausea. There's a lot of information here, and the posts are arranged in ascending chronological order. If there is a particular word you're looking for, it's probably best to utilize the "Find in Page" function in your edit menu!

Happy hunting :)

<30 June 98 From: Sandy A. Re: Nausea>

Sorry for not responding earlier about Sammy's nausea.  u can give him either ginger or peppermint tea.  But ginger stings a bit so if he has mouth ulcers, obviously it is out of the question even if mixed w/ honey.

I give Booey peppermint tea.  I just buy Celestial Seasoning brand (always liked it but more so since Leah gave it a thumbs up) tea bags, and steep the bag in just boiled water for about 20-30 minutes; cool and serve.  I find that it really helps the nausea from the CRF.  Basically, I find that 2 bags make enough for about 7-9 days.  I freeze it in small containers even tho I'm sure
that's a no-no; hasn't hurt the efficacy so far.

Just before I found out about Booey's mouth polyp, I decided to switch to ginger thinking it's good for arthritis, and prevents blood clots, and heart attacks etc. Since I couldn't see any ulcers in Boo's mouth I figured it was safe but now I realize that the polyp must have hurt the poor child even tho I mixed the ginger tea in w/ the dandelion to cut it a bit.

So now I'm back to peppermint tea - 2 syringes twice a day. Problem is I'm not a herbalist so I dunno why but instinctively I would think peppermint and ginger don't mix, one being cooling and the other warming.  I'll ponder that some other time.  Once I get a little free time, I will devote it all to figuring out how to help poor Boo's polyp.

John and Chelle took great care of Booey while I was sweltering in TX.  I got reports several times a day.  He seems better since they fed him 3-4 times a day, small amounts of AD.  He still won't eat on his own and is still extremely skinny:((  Poor baby..the big C looms large but we've been so much, even the C word doesn't scare me anymore esp. after the brave fight Kathy's Kashmir has been putting up.

Purrs to all.

Sandy, still catching up on stuff

Sorry for the delay in responding - got wrapped up in work and the e-mails piled up. Since this could just as easily apply to the kitties in our lives, I've posted it to the list in case someone else is interested.

I agree that you're best off not interfering with Giddy's treatment.  I hope it works out well.  (Keeping all the paws crossed for you here!)

For Maggie, since you don't think the real problem is nausea, the various things used there, probably won't help, like Nux v., peppermint, etc.  Sounds like attacking the anxiety would be the way to go.  How often did you dose her with the RR or the Nux v?  For my guys, I need to give RR quite frequently to get them calmed down - like every 5 minutes for several doses.  Then just occasionally.  The Nux v won't help with the anxiety, so it's probably not the right choice.  Nat mur is a better choice for vomiting brought on by fear. But the real remedy of choice for an animal that drools and pants from car rides is Cocc. Several doses may be needed. Something that's been mentioned here before I think, Calms Forte, really helps one of my dogs, but not another. It's a combination remedy, so I try not to use it frequently.

For an animal that's really frightened, (for a variety of reasons) I choose between three remedies usually: Phos, Gels or Acon.  Ars is also a choice, but I haven't used it myself.  The Aconite is for deep fear, panic, terror and the animal is agitated and moving about, breathing may be difficult.  Phos is good for fear of noises, they are also agitated, but refuse to be left alone, clingy.  Ars animals also don't want to be left alone, but are very thirsty, and eventually will be tuckered out from the fear. If they are listless and quiet but still very frightened, trembling, maybe having bowel problems try Gels before and during the trip.

I know it's difficult to choose from these, but if you have a MM, you could scan a few of these and see which best fit Maggie.  Good luck.  And let me know if you find something that really helps.

Be well,
Nancy and the furkids

On Monday, July 13, 1998 7:12 AM, Leah  [SMTP:lknipp@] wrote:
<<Nancy wrote:
Have you ever tried any homeopathic or herbal remedies for Giddy or your dog to help them out in the car?  There are lots of things that can help.

Nancy,
I've tried Nux Vomica, Calm Stress (a combo homeo remedy) and Rescue Remedy on Maggie, the dog.  Nothing has helped relax her, although as I said she no longer gets sick in the car.  With Giddy I have tried Rescue Remedy and not any specific homeopathic remedies.  Right now, he's in the middle of a specifically prescribed treatment regimen for his beginning stages of CRF, so I think I'll have to hold off on giving him anything.  If you have some ideas for Maggie, though, you might drop me a private e-mail.
 Leah>>

In a message dated 10/6/98 2:25:53 PM Pacific Daylight Time, vick@ writes:

<< So I haven't given him anything else, but he's bending over backwards for food  :( He's very difficult to deny when he turns on the Skippy charm :) So, how long do ya'll fast them after they puke? And what do you start them back  on? The Bear is missing his nummies, and his mommy is feeling like a horrible  person..... >>

Have you tried ginger instead of SE?  I would also look into Nux Vomica and Ipecac and see if one of them fits him.  Someone suggested aloe vera in the food, I have also used it to good effect.  If you want more suggestions, email me and I'll send privately, altho I think most are in a previous post.

Lee

Just read all the posts about poor Kashmir this morning. I hope she's feeling better today? Do you have Diane Stein's book? I just bought it yesterday so I tried to find something to help Kashmir.

There's aloe, of course, as you know. I know that long-term use of sodium benzoate is poisonous to cats but I wonder if using it for a day or two would be okay? Stein says, p 33, "Aloe vera juice used internally is a bowel cleanser and detoxifier. It is the safest pet laxative for constipation, diarrhea, and internal cleansing during illness, fasts, or as a general preventive. It is also a detoxifier and healer for such dis-eases as arthritis, allergies, colitis and digestive disorders, hairballs, liver and kidney dis-ease, overweight or underweight, yeast infections, dental gum dis-ease, and any infectious dis-ease."

P 34
"Apple Cider Vinegar ... remineralizes the body and normalizes the blood's acid alkaline balance. It is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and boosts the immune system.... It is a remedy for food poisoning and digestive upsets, a digestive enzyme balancer (hydrochloric acid), a remedy for urinary tract and kidney infections, and it lowers high blood pressure. Use it after
exhaustion or heatstroke (electrolyte balance)..."  She gives info on how to administer it, if you'd like that, pls let me know.

P 35
"Liquid Chlorophyll is another detoxifier and tonic at the same time, both catabolic and anabolic in action. It is an intestinal, internal and local antiseptic, and it inhibits bactgerial growth. It is a blood cleanser/detoxifier and red blood cell builder, and a general energy tonic without hyperactive results. ... Chlorophyll is especially good to add to aloe vera juice. Taken together, they may be used daily as a general tonic for a weak, ill, or recovering dog or cat. ...an eighth teaspoon three times daily for cats with diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome ... For general use, add it to food; for pets on a fast add it to liquids (herbal teas, broth, or water). ... This is a whole food rather than a medication."

P 36
"Honey and Bee Products ... Raw unpasteurized honey is high in potassium, copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, and other minerals, enzymes, protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin C. It is a strong anti-bacterial, a natural sedative, a laxative, immune builder, and energy-enhancing, predigested food. ... Feed honey by the teaspoonful for sick cats or dogs on a fast; it may be fed alone or mixed with water, pure natural fruit juice, broth, or herb tea. For weak animals it can be used every day. ... For older pets, use it with apple cider vinegar - a teaspoonful of raw honey and a teaspoonful of cider vinegar to a pint of pure drinking water. ... Use [honey and other bee products] for abscesses and arthritis, constipation and digestive disorders, coughs, muscle cramp and twitching, fatigue, and recovery after illness, birthing, surgery, or hard exercise."

Pg 67
"Chamomile is a mild sedative, anti-spasmodic, digestive and gentle cleanser for the liver and kidneys. ... Use it for spasms, pain, vomiting, gas, to stimulate appetite, and to calm the cat or dog that has been through a harrowing experience.  A gentle tonic and calmative."

"Golden Seal is another major herbal antibiotic, an equivalent to sulfa. It is a liver cleanser and antiseptic, and is used for internal bleeding and bowel dis-eases (colitis, etc.) ... It heals the mucous membranes ... Do not use goldenseal with hypoglycemic animals or add licorice root to goldenseal for them. Monitor diabetic pets closely. Use particularly for any infections below the waist - stomach, bowel, digestive."

P 69
When/if you can get some "Slippery Elm ... is a nutrient and food for very young, old, or very weak cats or dogs. It coats and heals all inflamed tissue internally and externally, and is used for the stomach, ulcers, bowels and kidneys, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery and colitis, and the entire digestive tract. ..."

Hugs and headbutts

--Jean, Saski Basket & Amber Sweet T'ing

Lorna, I'm sorry to hear about the rough time you're having with Melba. I've searched and searched in my books to find something appropriate to suggest and have come up nearly blank. I've got some info from CJ Puotinen's _The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care_  that may help a little. The problem is that a lot of authors will deal with vomiting and stomach problems as though it's due to a food sensitivity or other dietary disorder (which vomiting often is). I found nothing about vomiting and cancer in my books, but will keep looking. I know the info is there, just have to tease it out.

In the meantime, here is the info I have. I also have tons of material on cancer generally, which I can send to you if you like. Good luck with Melba.

begin quote
"To relieve intestinal irritation and soothe a growling stomach, use demulcent, mucilaginous herbs like comfrey root, slippery elm bark, oats or arrow root. Add water-soluble fiber to the diet such as psyllium husk powder or pectin.

To prevent or relieve gas or flatulence, add any of the following to the food as a tea, powdered herb, tincture ... or give with a small amount of water: angelica root, aniseed, caraway seed, cardamon seed, catnip, cayenne pepper, celery seed, chamomile, cinnamon, fennel seed, ginger, lemon balm, licorice root or peppermint. In severe cases, give 1 or 2 capsules
containing activated charcoal with water every 20 minutes until symptoms subside.

Chamomile is another specific for most canine and feline digestive disorders. It can be used in any form as often as desired."
end quote

My feeling is that you may be best to stick with something like slippery elm. It also seems to me that homeopathy would work wonders here if you could find the right remedy. My Materia Medica lists two remedies for vomiting due to hepatic, gastric or uterine cancer: Carb ac and Kreosote. Vomiting due to gastric irritation: Ant C; Ars; Bism; Ferr. M; Ipec; Nux vomica; Phos; Puls; Ver. A.

There are something like 30 remedies for ulcers, 17 remedies for bloody vomiting, and dozens of remedies for chronic stomach inflammation. It'd be most helpful if you could find a veterinary homeopath to work with. And if I can do anything at all to help, please let me know.

Take care
Kathy and the cats